Leaders in Outdoor Experiential Learning

Volunteering Opportunities

Are you anoutdoor enthusiastwith the passion and energy to

‘Change Lives and Build Futures’?

Volunteer Opportunities:

Minibus Drivers

Do you hold a valid PSV or D1 driving license and do you have experience in driving minibuses? If so we need your help transporting our youth groups and disabled clients from Belfast Activity Centre to locations such as the Mournes.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award volunteers

We would love to hear from anyone who would be interested in assisting with our Duke of Edinburgh's Award this year. This may include assisting with administrations, assisting with the classroom work prior to expeditions or assisting with expeditions (a minimum of Introduction to DofE course, BEL or ML required).

Ardaluin House, Newcastle

The BAC residential centre, Ardaluin House in Newcastle is a beautiful forty bed residential centre based on up to eight acres of woodland. Over the past four years, BAC staff and volunteers have fundraised and worked tirelessly to regenerate the house and grounds. In order to maintain this standard and continue to develop the grounds for accessability and future forest schooling and outdoor adventure opportunities, we are always very grateful of volunteer support.

All of the above opportunities will play a part in helping us to continue providing opportunities for young people with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. BAC and Ardaluin Regeneration Trust are both registered charities and all volunteer help is greatly appreciated.

BAC currently have a number of very valued volunteers and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the wonderful contribution they continue to make to the charity.

If you would like to get involved please don't hesiate to contact the BAC office on 028 90600132.

Regular Volunteers and placement students.

We have a number of volunteers who come to BAC weekly to assist our instructors working with young people, help to keep both BAC and Ardaluin grounds clean and tidy and to help maintain the outdoor equipment and resources. The passion, energy and selflessness of all of our volunteers is truly inspiring.

"During my time at BAC I've learnt a lot of new skills. E.g different rope knots and how to abseil. As wellas the new skills I've learnt new qualities e.g. how to be a leader and how to communicate with differentgroups. Working with a variety of groups has given me an experience I don't think I would haveachieved somewhere else. The best thing I think about volunteering is the new friends I've made withthe staff and other volunteers". - BAC Volunteer Rioghnach Catney

BAC Open Award Volunteers

BAC Duke of Edinburgh's Open Award volunteers also kindly give up their time on a weekly basis to ensure that a number of young people are able to complete the expedition element of their award. This fantastic opportunity would not be available without the passion and dedication of our volunteers.

‘To me the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is more than simply three different levels of a youthprogramme. As a participant it was an opportunity for me to make new friends and gave me the chanceto learn and develop some very useful skills for later life. As a volunteer leader for the past 8 years, ithad given me the opportunity to work with young people who perhaps have never slept in a tent, outsideof their garden. It continues to be a real privilege to be involved with the DofE Award and I hope I’mable to continue with it for a long time to come.’ – BAC DofE Open Award Volunteer James Curry

Corporate Volunteer Days

A number of organisations have kindly allowed their staff a day out of the office to volunteer at Ardaluin House in Newcastle alongside the BAC team to help develop the grounds. Projects to date have included the team from Dillon Bass helping to create an archery site and the team from Santander helping to build steps into the forest camping area and creating a sensory garden. We are always very grateful to any organisation willing to give up their time to help enhance our facilities for young people to use.

"We had a great time at Ardaluin and really enjoyed our day! Thank you for being so great to work with,it was a pleasure to be involved and made so much easier by having a well-planned project so hugethanks to you and Trevor for that". - Dillon Bass, Suzie Gates.